Electrochemical electrode device

Abstract

An electrochemical electrode device comprising a tubular member having a bottom end adapted to be inserted into a liquid sample to be measured, and a top end which is closed by a cap member including electrical conductors by means of which the electrodes of the electrode device are connected to an outer cable. In order to facilitate the introduction of liquid or gel into an inner space defined within the tubular member as well as withdrawal of liquid or gel from that space, a longitudinally extending passage is formed within the cap member. This passage may be selectively opened and closed by means of a closure member which is received in a cavity extending transversely to and intersecting the longitudinal passage. The closure member is preferably in the form of a swingably mounted slide valve member or a rotatable cock member.

I claim: 
     
       1. An electrochemical electrode device comprising a tubular member having a bottom end and an upper end, a sealing means substantially sealing the bottom end of the tubular member, a cap member closing the upper end of the tubular member so as to define an inner space therein for containing a liquid or a gel, said cap member having a passage connecting the inner space of the tubular member with the outside atmosphere, said passage having an inner end opening and an outer end opening said outer end opening being located in the upper surface part of the cap member, and a closure member being received in a cavity defined in the cap member and intersecting the passage therein at a point between the inner end opening and the outer end opening of the passage, the closure member being selectively movable between open and closed positions, whereby communication between the inner space of the tubular member and the ambient atmosphere through said passage is established and interrupted, respectively. 
     
     
       2. An electrode device according to claim 1, wherein the closure member is a cock member arranged rotatably within the cavity and containing a bore which may be aligned with the passage in the cap member. 
     
     
       3. An electrode device according to claim 1, wherein the closure member is a slide valve member slidably mounted within the cavity. 
     
     
       4. An electrode device according to claim 3, further comprising a resilient sealing member mounted on a surface part of the slide valve member so as to project slightly from this surface part and so as to cover the adjacent cross-section of the passage in the closed position of the slide valve member. 
     
     
       5. An electrode device according to claim 4, wherein the sealing member is a sealing ring encircling the cross-section of said passage. 
     
     
       6. An electrode device according to claim 3, wherein a resilient sealing ring is mounted on the cavity surface part intersected by the passage so as to project slightly from the cavity surface part and so as to encircle the opening of the longitudinal passage into the cavity surface part. 
     
     
       7. An electrode device according to claim 3, wherein the slide valve member is a plate member having opposite, substantially plane side surfaces for cooperating sealingly with spaced, substantially parallel inner surface parts of the cavity which is slot-like and extends transversely into the passage. 
     
     
       8. An electrode device according to any of the claims 3 to 7, wherein the slide valve member is swingably mounted. 
     
     
       9. An electrode device according to claim 1, wherein the passage extends substantially linearly through the cap member and substantially in the axial direction of the tubular member. 
     
     
       10. An electrochemical electrode device comprising a tubular member having a bottom end and an upper end, sealing means substantially sealing the bottom end of the tubular member, at least one reference member arranged within the tubular member, a cap member closing the upper end of the tubular member so as to define an inner space therein for containing a liquid or a gel, said cap member including means for electrically connecting the reference member with an external cable and having a passage connecting the inner space of the tubular member with the outside atmosphere, said passage having an inner end opening and an outer end opening, said outer end opening being located in the upper surface part of the cap member, and a closure member being received in a cavity defined in the cap member and intersecting the passage therein at a point between the inner end opening and the outer end opening of the passage, the closure member being selectively movable between open and closed positions, whereby communication between the inner space of the tubular member and the ambient atmosphere through said passage is established and interrupted, respectively. 
     
     
       11. An electrode device according to claim 10, wherein the closure member is a cock member arranged rotatably within the cavity and containing a bore which may be aligned with the passage in the cap member. 
     
     
       12. An electrode device according to claim 11, further comprising a resilient sealing ring mounted on a surface part of the slide valve member so as to project slightly from this surface part and so as to encircle the adjacent cross-section of the passage in the closed position of the slide valve member. 
     
     
       13. An electrode device according to claim 11, wherein the slide valve member is a plate member having opposite, substantially plane surfaces for cooperating sealingly with spaced, substantially parallel inner surface parts of the cavity, which is slot-like and extends transversely into the passage. 
     
     
       14. An electrode device according to claim 13, wherein the slide valve member is mounted so as to be swingable between its open and closed position.